Quick Answer
UK crossbow regulations are separate from firearms licensing. In Great Britain, ordinary crossbow ownership does not currently require a firearms certificate, but sales, purchase, hire and possession by under-18s are restricted, and hunting animals with a crossbow is not lawful.
Responsible shooters should treat crossbows as serious projectile equipment. That means using safe ranges, keeping clear transport records, supervising juniors properly and checking current Home Office guidance before buying or organising activity.
What are the main crossbow regulations UK shooters need to know?
The main crossbow regulations UK shooters need to know are age restrictions, hunting restrictions and general public safety duties. Crossbows are not regulated in the same way as firearms, but that does not make them casual equipment.
The Crossbows Act 1987 creates offences around selling, hiring, buying and possessing crossbows by people under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland. The Home Office has also reviewed whether further controls may be needed on public safety grounds.
For Vectis users, the practical point is simple. If you own or use a crossbow alongside firearms or shotguns, keep the same disciplined mindset: lawful purpose, safe storage, careful transport and clear notes.
Do you need a firearms certificate for a crossbow?
You do not currently need a firearms certificate or shotgun certificate to own an ordinary crossbow in Great Britain. The Home Office has stated that there is no licensing or registration scheme in place for someone wishing to purchase and own a crossbow.
That position may surprise some certificate holders because crossbows can be powerful and potentially dangerous. The legal framework is different, but the responsibility expected of the owner is still high.
If you are a firearms certificate holder, poor judgement with any weapon can still matter. Police firearms licensing teams assess suitability, responsibility and public safety, so careless behaviour with a crossbow could affect wider confidence in your conduct.
What age restrictions apply to crossbows?
In England, Wales and Scotland, a crossbow or crossbow part must not be sold or hired to someone under 18. A person under 18 also commits an offence if they buy or hire a crossbow or a part of one.
The Act also restricts possession by under-18s. A young person must not have a capable crossbow, or parts that can be assembled into a capable crossbow, unless supervised by a person aged 21 or over.
Clubs and activity organisers should document this clearly. A junior session should have named supervision, a written risk assessment, controlled issue of equipment and a clear process for collecting equipment back in.
Can crossbows be used for hunting in the UK?
Crossbows should not be used for hunting animals in the UK. The Home Office government response on crossbow controls notes that existing statutory controls include additional controls preventing crossbows being used in hunting animals.
That distinction matters for shooters who already understand lawful quarry shooting with rifles or shotguns. A crossbow is not an alternative field tool for deer, pest control or game shooting.
Keep crossbow use to lawful target shooting, club activity or controlled private practice where it is safe and permitted. If wildlife control is needed, use the correct legal route, certificate conditions, permissions and species guidance.
How should you transport a crossbow responsibly?
Transport a crossbow only when you have a clear reason, such as travelling to a range, club, competition, repairer or private land where target use is permitted. Keep it covered, unloaded and separate from bolts.
A hard case is sensible because it protects the equipment and reduces public alarm. Avoid unnecessary stops, never leave it visible in a vehicle, and secure it in the boot where possible.
A short journey note in Vectis can help. Record the date, destination, purpose and equipment used, especially if crossbow activity is part of a wider shooting club programme.
What should clubs include in a crossbow safety policy?
A crossbow safety policy should cover supervision, range layout, backstops, draw procedure, bolt handling, emergency stops and equipment inspection. The policy should be written plainly enough for volunteers to follow under pressure.
Useful controls include:
- Named range officer or session lead.
- Clear firing line and waiting area.
- Suitable backstop for the equipment being used.
- Bolts issued only on command.
- Under-18 supervision checked before equipment is handled.
- Damaged strings, limbs or bolts removed immediately.
Crossbows store energy differently from firearms, but the safety principle is familiar: control the direction, control access, and stop immediately when something is uncertain.
What records should responsible crossbow owners keep?
Responsible crossbow owners should keep enough records to show lawful, organised and safe use. There is no certificate-style acquisition table for ordinary crossbows, but good records protect you from confusion later.
Useful records include:
- Purchase date, seller and receipt.
- Make, model and identifying marks.
- Range or club attendance dates.
- Maintenance, string replacement and repair notes.
- Transport dates for events or repair work.
- Risk assessments for club or junior sessions.
Vectis can sit alongside your firearm and shotgun records as a disciplined shooting diary. Even when the law does not demand a record, a clear log is often the best proof of responsible practice.
Are crossbow laws likely to change?
Crossbow laws may change, so owners should keep an eye on official updates. In 2026, the Home Office published a government response following a call for evidence on controls on crossbows on public safety grounds.
The response discussed the current absence of a licensing or registration scheme and considered options such as seller licensing, buyer licensing and registration following police checks. Separately, government material has referred to stronger age verification for online sales and delivery.
Do not rely on old forum posts or shop assumptions. Check GOV.UK before buying, selling, travelling with or organising crossbow activity.
How does this affect firearms certificate holders?
Firearms certificate holders should treat crossbow ownership as part of their wider reputation for safe, lawful conduct. The equipment may sit outside firearms licensing, but your judgement does not.
A cautious approach is best. Store equipment securely, avoid public alarm, supervise juniors carefully and record legitimate sporting use.
If there is any doubt about a planned activity, ask the club, landowner, organiser or relevant authority before going ahead. It is far easier to prevent a problem than explain one afterwards.
Before booking crossbow target practice, confirm that the venue explicitly permits crossbows and has suitable facilities. Our guide to choosing a suitable UK shooting club explains the questions to ask about disciplines, supervision and membership; firearm club membership alone does not mean crossbows are accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a certificate to own a crossbow in the UK?
There is currently no firearms certificate or shotgun certificate requirement for ordinary crossbow ownership in Great Britain. Crossbows are subject to separate rules, including age restrictions and hunting laws, so owners still need to understand the legal limits before buying, carrying or using one.
What is the minimum age for buying a crossbow in Great Britain?
The Crossbows Act 1987 makes it an offence to sell or let on hire a crossbow, or a part of a crossbow, to a person under 18 in England, Wales and Scotland. A person under 18 also commits an offence if they buy or hire one.
Can a person under 18 possess a crossbow?
A person under 18 must not have a capable crossbow, or parts that can be assembled into one, unless supervised by someone aged 21 or over. Clubs, families and activity providers should build this rule into written safety procedures.
Can you hunt animals with a crossbow in the UK?
No. Hunting wild mammals with a bow or crossbow is unlawful in the UK, and the Home Office has also highlighted that existing controls prevent crossbows being used for hunting animals. Crossbows should be treated as target equipment, not field sport hunting tools.
Can you carry a crossbow in a public place?
You should only carry a crossbow in public when you have a clear lawful reason, such as travelling directly to a club, range, event or repairer. Keep it unloaded, covered, secure and separate from bolts so your purpose is obvious if questioned.
Are online crossbow sales changing?
Government material in 2026 refers to stronger age verification requirements for online sale and delivery of knives and crossbows. Buyers and sellers should check the current position before ordering, particularly where delivery checks or identity verification are involved.
Should crossbow owners keep records?
Good records are sensible even where licensing is not required. Keep purchase details, serial numbers if present, club attendance, range use, maintenance notes and transport dates so you can show responsible ownership if needed.
Are crossbow rules the same across the whole UK?
The Crossbows Act 1987 applies in England, Wales and Scotland. Northern Ireland and specific activity settings may have additional requirements, so check local guidance before travelling or organising an event.